Minnesota employers added 6,100 jobs in August, according to data released Thursday by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
The August gains, combined with July figures that were revised from 4,200 jobs lost to 100 jobs lost, put calendar year gains at 13,200 jobs in the state. Over the past 12 months, the state has added 56,311 jobs, a 2 percent growth rate compared with a U.S. growth rate of 1.8 percent.

Most of those gains were in the fall of 2013.

"Our state has added nearly 203,000 jobs since hitting the low point of the recession in September 2009," said DEED Commissioner Katie Clark Sieben, in a statement. "The August employment figures are great news and a reflection of Minnesota's healthy and growing economy."

Unemployment rate falls to 4.3 percent

The state unemployment rate fell to 4.3 percent in August, the lowest unemployment rate in the state since November 2006. The U.S. unemployment rate in August was 6.1 percent.

Again, the drop in unemployment was driven by another reduction in labor force participation – the share of working-age people who are either working or looking for work.

This is a national phenomenon, state labor market economist Steve Hine said. But Minnesota's labor force participation rate, at 69.8 percent, is still among the highest in the nation, along with Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota.

Hine said the reduction in labor force participation is being driven primarily by demographic forces -- people retiring.

Construction and professional business services drove strength in August

Construction and professional and business services were the strongest sectors in August, each adding 2,500 jobs.

"All other changes were a few hundred," Hine said.

Other industries that added jobs were manufacturing (up 800), information (up 400), government (up 400), logging and mining (up 300), other services (up 300), trade, transportation and utilities (up 200), and education and health services (up 100).

Job losses were reported in August in financial activities (down 800) and leisure and hospitality (down 600).
Leading indicators look strong

The average work-week of private sector employees edged up to 34.3 hours per week.

Online job postings added another 1,900 openings in August. The Twin Cities ratio of unemployed to job postings fell below 1.

"That's the first time the number of job postings in the Twin Cities has exceeded the number of unemployed job seekers since they started tracking," he said.

The statewide ratio is not as good – at 1.08.

Job quality still a challenge

"We've got to be cognizant that there remain real challenges out there, both in finding jobs quickly and in finding jobs that are high quality," Hine said.